Laura kept moving despite the throbbing pain in her leg. Each step sent fresh waves of agony up her thigh, but she refused to stop. Not when she was so close.
"Just a little longer," she whispered to herself, using a branch as a makeshift crutch.
She glanced at the sky. The sun touched the edge of the western mountains, painting them gold and crimson. Minutes. She only needed minutes more.
Behind her, she could sense Dante keeping pace, watching her struggle yet not interfering. After cleaning her wound, he'd helped her stand but hadn't tried to claim her as his prize. Instead, he'd stepped back, eyes intense as he studied her face.
"You're still trying to win," he'd said, somewhere between a question and a statement.
Laura had lifted her chin. "I'm going to win."
Now, limping throug
